Posted on 10/01/2004 8:09:48 AM PDT by outlawcam
I was browsing through the posts today about the debate last night, and something jumped out at me that I wanted to bring up for discussion among fellow FReepers.
There are many people here (including me) who recognize polls as valuable tools. There are other people (including me) who recognize that polls can be used to manipulate public opinion. Why else would we FReep unscientific polls? Who else would possibly care what a poll says? Polls don't elect anyone, but votes do, yet we get into a frenzy to discredit those polls that don't agree with us, and we trumpet those that do.
We're in the midst of a battle against terrorists. This battle will take strong values and rational thinking to win. But in order to persuade others to utilize their brains, we appeal to their emotional sense of belonging by manipulating these polls. What does that say about us? What does that say about the voting population that can be manipulated in this way? What credibility do elections have if the difference between the votes candidates receive is based on that manipulation?
I'm of the opinion that polls are virtually never reported responsibly (doing so would take too much space for a regular paper). I also have come to realize that manipulating voters with polls is never right, even if it is in favor of the candidate I support; it does an injustice to our system of government. We are no longer self-governed, but we instead make choices based on what others can manipulate us to do or what we can manipulate others to do. Can that result even be considered self-government?
Therefore, I will never FReep another poll that deals with the candidates of a pending election again. I will, when the situation arises (and there are plenty of these available) reason with those who wish to entertain rational discussions, but I'm done with polls.
I would like to open this up for discussion. Who agrees with me, and who disagrees with me? If you disagree with my assessment of polls, please tell me why we FReep. If you disagree with my decision to not participate, but agree that polls are manipulative, please give me your assessment of the effect poll reports have on self-government.
This is an interesting point. I'd like to come back to it later if it's alright with you.
There is no reason that I know of other than making a meaningless poll go in YOUR favor rather than the ENEMYS.
I guess it gives us some sort of NUANCED victory!
I am sure it was an accident you posted this to "Culture/Society; Editorial; Philosophy; Politics/Elections".
And with your reasoning, does this mean that Keyes leads in Illinois Polls now, like by 99% ?
How big of an impact do you think polls have on support of any particular position/candidate?
Bingo!!!!!!
I did because it has to do with Culture/Society, Philosophy, and Politics/Elections. It is also my editorial, so I picked that as well as Vanity. Is that terribly difficult to understand?
I came to a very special understanding and dislike of reports on polls after taking two statistics courses and after I read the book called, "How to Lie with Statistics."
Typical condescension on your part.
Have a nice day.
Precisely..Plus doing so drives up the numbers of the websites which sponsor them. Better to spend your time doing something to dispel the Dem's lies, get out the vote, and stop vote fraud.
I read that book, "How to lie with statistics". It was fascinating, and after reading it I scored more often than ever before!
Come on!
We all posted vanities last night!
It depends who's doing the polling. I'll trust legitmate polling agencies. I've always found them to be generally accurate when it comes to who's going to win an election.
(beforehand) You:
And with your reasoning, does this mean that Keyes leads in Illinois Polls now, like by 99% ?
You (in response to my post about your criticism):
Typical condescension on your part.
Take the mote out of your own eye.
Thanks. Good advice. And I would never vote for a candidate that wouldn't do the same.
How is Maya these days?
Should be required reading, IMO, for high schoolers. BTW--Your tagline is the best! :)
Ask a relevant question or address the subject of this thread. I would be happy to debate this with you, if you disagree with me.
I agree with you but I have been excoriated for saying so in the past, so put on your flame proof pajamas.
I did. You said you posted it properly, which I pointed out you didn't.
And you got off topic from any debate with your comment "Take the mote out of your own eye".
That's debating?
No wonder you support some of the people you do. I can see how you agree with his style. LOL
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